Ink jet recording apparatus and recorded article

ABSTRACT

An ink jet recording apparatus records an image on a recording material by ejecting a first ink composition through at least one first liquid ejecting nozzle having an open end. The ink jet recording apparatus also includes a platen having a surface on which the recording medium is placed. The surface is away from the open end at a distance PG satisfying the relationship 0.5 mm&lt;PG&lt;2.5 mm. The first ink composition that has been ejected through the first liquid ejecting nozzle is split into a main droplet having a flying velocity Vm and at least one satellite droplet including a satellite droplet having a flying velocity Vs. The flying velocities Vm and Vs satisfy the relationship Vm−Vs&lt;3 m/s.

Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/595,788 and 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Application No.2011-184473 filed on Aug. 26, 2011 and Japanese Application No.2011-184476 filed on Aug. 26, 2011, are hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and arecorded article produced by the ink jet recording apparatus.

2. Related Art

Business printers are required to have various functions and propertiesaccording to the use. In particular, printers intended to outputdrawings created by CAD (computer aided design) systems are required toproduce large-sized printed matter at a high speed. The image of theprinted matter is required to have a high dimensional precision withreduced drawing errors, and a high repeatability even in tracing verythin lines and writing very small characters.

Ink jet printers are suitable to satisfy these requirements. In order totrace super-fine lines with a higher precision, however, it is desirablethat ink droplets be discharged so as not to deviate from a desireddirection, and be prevented from splitting into smaller droplets anddegrading image quality. To respond to this issue, for example,JP-A-2005-1360 proposes a technique for reducing the occurrence of inkdischarge deviation. In this technique, the color material in the ink isinhibited from aggregating around nozzles by reducing the particle sizeof the color material to 70 nm or less. JP-A-2006-272649 proposes atechnique for reducing the occurrence of banding (a phenomenon in whichsplit ink droplets are strung to form a stripe extending in a directionin which the nozzles scan) by modifying the shape of nozzle apertures soas to control the ink flying direction.

In order for ink jet printers to perform more high-definition drawing ata higher speed, it is desirable that ink droplets having a furtherreduced droplet size be discharged at a higher velocity. In theabove-cited techniques, however, ink droplets are split into pieces, andthis hinders improvement in image quality. More specifically, in thetechnique disclosed in JP-A-2005-1360, while discharge deviation can besuppressed, split ink droplets are not inhibited from flying in variousdirections. The technique disclosed in JP-A-2006-272649 can suppressbanding in image drawing. However, when in order to trace still thinnerlines, split ink droplets are controlled so as not to be strung, thethin line may be undesirably doubled.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least partof the above issues, and the following embodiments, or applications, ofthe invention can be provided.

Application 1

An ink jet recording apparatuses according to an embodiment of theinvention includes at least one first liquid injecting nozzle throughwhich a first ink composition is ejected to record an image on arecording medium. The first liquid ejecting nozzle has an open end, andthe first ink composition that has been ejected through the first liquidejecting nozzle is split into a main droplet having a flying velocity Vmand at least one satellite droplet including a satellite droplet havinga flying velocity Vs. The flying velocities Vm and Vs satisfy therelationship Vm−Vs<3 m/s. The ink jet recording apparatus also includesa platen having a surface on which the recording medium is placed. Thesurface is away from the open end at a distance PG satisfying therelationship 0.5 mm<PG<2.5 mm.

In this embodiment, since the distance PG between the open end of thefirst liquid ejecting nozzle and the surface of the platen satisfies therelationship 0.5 mm<PG<2.5 mm, the dispersion in the positions ofdroplets landing on the recording medium can be kept in a predeterminedrange, even if flying droplets split into main droplets and satellitedroplets. In addition, since the difference Vm−Vs in flying velocitybetween the main droplet and the satellite droplet is less than 3 m/s(Vm−Vs<3 m/s), the dispersion in the positions of droplets landing onthe recording medium can be kept small. Thus, the ink jet recordingapparatus can perform more high-definition drawing at a higher speed.

Application 2

In the ink jet recording apparatus, the flying velocity Vm of the maindroplet may be more than 7 m/s (7 m/s<Vm).

By controlling the flying velocity Vm of the main droplet to more than 7m/s, the same effect can be produced as when the distance PG between theopen end of the first liquid ejecting nozzle and the surface of theplaten is reduced. Specifically, the dispersion in the positions ofdroplets landing on the recording medium can be further reduced, andhigh-speed recording can be performed.

Application 3

The first liquid ejecting nozzle may scan at a speed of 33 inches persecond or more.

Since the first liquid ejecting nozzle scans at a speed of 33 inches persecond or more, the ink jet recording apparatus can perform morehigh-definition drawing at a higher speed.

Application 4

The first liquid ejecting nozzle may be a piezoelectric ejecting nozzlethat ejects liquid with a pressure generated by a piezoelectric element,and a plurality of the first liquid ejecting nozzles are arranged in anink jet head at intervals of 85 μm or less in a direction intersectingthe direction in which the ink jet heat scans.

Since the piezoelectric liquid ejecting nozzles are arranged atintervals (pitch) of 85 μm or less in a direction intersecting thedirection in which the ink jet head scans, still finer recording can beperformed at a high speed.

Application 5

The first ink composition may satisfy at least either (1) containingless than 3% by mass of 1,2-hexanediol or (2) containing 10% by mass ormore of glycerol.

Since the first ink composition contains at least either less than 3% bymass of 1,2-hexanediol or 10% by mass or more of glycerol, very smalldroplets of the first ink composition ejected at a high speed do noteasily split into smaller droplets. Also, even if droplets split, thedifference in velocity among split droplets can be kept small. Thus, theink jet recording apparatus can perform more high-definition drawing ata higher speed.

Application 6

The first ink composition may form a lien having a minimum line width of250 μm or less.

Since lines having a width as small as 250 μm or less can be traced for,for example, design drawings, finer images can be recorded.

Application 7

The image may be a design drawing.

The ink jet recording apparatus can record design drawings with a highdefinition at a high speed.

Application 8

The ink jet recording apparatus may further include a second liquidejecting nozzle through which a second ink composition concerning acolor material and 3% by mass or more of 1,2-hexanediol is ejected.

Since the ink jet recording apparatus can perform recording with such asecond ink composition, the image quality of other portions notrequiring high definition or high precision can be enhanced, in additionto recording fine, precise drawings. For example, by using a glitteringink containing 3% by mass or more of 1,2-hexanediol, portions thatshould have glossiness or similar texture can be recorded together withhigh-definition fine image portions.

Application 9

A recorded article produced by the ink jet recording apparatus isprovided.

In the recorded article, a high-definition image, such as a designdrawing, is recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view that illustrates how discharged inkdroplets fly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the ink jet recording apparatus, ink compositions used inthe ink jet recording apparatus, and the recorded article produced bythe ink jet recording apparatus will now be described with reference tothe drawings and tables. For the sake of easy understanding, theproportions of the dimensions in each figure are varied from the actualproportions.

1. Embodiment 1.1. Ink Jet Recording Apparatus

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The ink jet recordingapparatus 1 discharges an ink (ink composition) from an ink jetrecording head to deposit the ink on a recording medium, thus recordingcharacters, drawings, images and so forth on the recording medium. Theink jet recording head preferably uses a piezoelectric method. In thepiezoelectric method, ink droplets are ejected by applying a pressureaccording to printing information signals to the ink with apiezoelectric element.

However, the ejection of the ink is not limited to the piezoelectricmethod, and other methods in which droplets of an ink are ejected toform dots on a recording medium may be applied to the ink jet recordinghead. For example, recording may be performed by continuously ejectingink droplets from liquid ejecting nozzles (hereinafter referred to asnozzles) in a strong electric field, for example, between the nozzlesand an acceleration electrode disposed in front of the nozzles, andapplying a printing information signal from a deflection electrode whilethe droplets are flying. Recording may be performed by electrostaticsuction in such a manner that ink droplets are ejected according to theprinting information signal without deflecting the ink droplets.Alternatively, droplets of an ink may be forcibly ejected bypressurizing the ink with a small pump and mechanically vibrating thenozzles with a quartz resonator or the like. Also, a thermal jet methodmay be applied in which ink droplets are ejected for recording byheating an ink to bubble with a miniature electrode according to theprinting information signal.

In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is placed on asubstantially horizontal X-Y plane. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 ismainly used for outputting CAD drawings and includes ink jet recordingheads 2 (hereinafter referred to as head(s) 2), a carriage 3, a carriagedriving mechanism 4, a control board 5, an ink cartridge 6, a recordingmedium feed/ejection mechanism (not shown), and a platen 8. While thecarriage 3 on which the heads 2 and the ink cartridge 6 are arranged isreciprocally moved by the carriage driving mechanism 4 across thesurface of a recording medium 10 in the X direction shown in FIG. 1,inks are discharged in a substantially vertical direction (Z directionshown in FIG. 1). The control board 5 controls the carriage drivemechanism 4, the discharge of inks, the feed and ejection of therecording medium 10, and so forth. The ink cartridge 6 is divided into aplurality of storage portions respectively containing ink compositionsdescribed below. The recording medium feed/ejection mechanism moves therecording medium 10 in a direction intersecting the scanning directionof the carriage 3 (in the Y direction shown in FIG. 1). The platen 8, onwhich the recording medium 10 is placed, defines the distance betweenthe recording medium 10 and the open end of a nozzle 9 (FIG. 2) that isa first liquid ejecting nozzle of the head 2. The precision in creatingdrawings (hereinafter referred to as drawing precision) of the ink jetrecording apparatus 1 will be described in detail later.

1.2. Recording Medium

Preferably, plain paper is used as the recording medium 10. Plain paperis a type of paper sheets widely used for recording with an ink jetprinter, a laser printer, a copy machine or the like, includingcommercially available paper sheets labeled as “Plain Paper” and papersheets generally called “plain paper”. In general, the plain paper ismainly made of cellulose fiber and substantially does not have aswelling layer of a urethane resin or the like or a porous layer ofinorganic particles, such as silica or alumina. Exemplary plain paperinclude double-sided high-quality plain paper (recycled) (manufacturedby Seiko Epson Corp.), Xerox P (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.),Canon White Plain Paper (manufactured by Canon Inc.), Kassaiplain-finished paper (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation), A4high-quality plain paper for Brother (manufactured by BrotherIndustries, Ltd.), and Kokuyo KB paper (multipurpose) (manufactured byKokuyo Co., Ltd.). However, the recording medium 10 is not limited toplain paper and may be surface-treated paper such as coat paper, artpaper or cast-coated paper; a transparent or opaque resin film such as avinyl chloride sheet or a PET film; or a sheet or film of othermaterials, such as cloth, wood, plastics or metals.

1.3. Ink Composition

Examples of the ink composition (hereinafter referred to as ink) used inthe ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment include fullcolor printing inks, such as those of cyan, magenta and yellow, blackinks, white inks, and glittering inks. A first ink composition of theinks used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 contains an appropriateamount of 1,2-hexanediol and glycerol from the viewpoint of increasingthe drawing precision. Details concerning drawing precision, includingthe contents of these solvents, will be described later. Generaldescriptions of the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 willfirst be given here.

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment preferably contains two or more organic solvents. Oneof the functions of organic solvents is to prevent the ink from beingdried and solidified at the ends of the nozzles so as to suppress theoccurrence of clogged nozzles and ejection failure. Organic solventsmentioned herein are different from surfactants described later.

(1) Polyhydric Alcohol

The organic solvents of the ink include, for example, polyhydricalcohols. Polyhydric alcohols include ethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol,1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and glycerol.

(2) 1,2-Alkanediol

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 preferably contains1,2-alkanediol. 1,2-Alkanediols enhance the wettability to andpenetration into recording media of the ink, and thus help formhigh-quality images on the recording media. Exemplary 1,2-alkanediolsinclude 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol,1,2-hexanediol, and 1,2-octanediol.

(3) Pyrrolidone Derivatives

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 preferably contains apyrrolidone derivative. The pyrrolidone derivative serves as a suitabledissolving agent of recording media, and thus can enhance the fixabilityof the ink to recording media. Examples of the pyrrolidone derivativeinclude N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone,N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, N-butyl-2-pyrrolidone, and5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

(4) Surfactant

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 preferably contains asurfactant. Surfactants suitable for the ink of the present embodimentinclude known fluorochemical surfactants, acetylene glycol-basedsurfactants and silicone surfactants. By adding at least one of thesesurfactants to the ink, the wettability of the ink to recording mediacan be increased, so that the penetration of ink into the recordingmedia can be enhanced.

Exemplary acetylene glycol-based surfactants include2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol,3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyne-3-ol, and 2,4-dimethyl-5-hexyne-3-ol. Commerciallyavailable acetylene glycol-based surfactants may be used, such asOLFINEs E1010, STG and Y (each produced by Nissin Chemical Industry);and SURFYNOLs 104, 82, 465, 485 and TG (each produced by Air Productsand Chemicals Inc.)

Polysiloxane compounds are preferred silicone surfactants. For example,a polyether-modified organosiloxane may be used. More specifically,silicone surfactants include BYK-306, BYK-307, BYK-333, BYK-341,BYK-345, BYK-346, and BYK-348 (product names, each produced by BYK); andKF-351A, KF-352A, KF-353, KF-354L, KF-355A, KF-615A, KF-945, KF-640,KF-642, KF-643, KF-6020, X-22-4515, KF-6011, KF-6012, KF-6015, andKF-6017 (product names, each produce by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).The silicone surfactant helps the white ink spread uniformly over thesurface of the recording medium without causing ink bleeding ornon-uniformity in ink density, and thus can be advantageously used.

Another surfactant may be further added to the ink, such as an anionicsurfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or an amphoteric surfactant.

(5) Color Material

The ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 preferably contains atleast one color material selected from the group consisting of pigments,dyes, metal oxides, and hollow particles.

(5-1) Pigment

Pigments that can be used as the color material include, but are notlimited to, inorganic pigments and organic pigments. Exemplary inorganicpigments include carbon blacks (C.I. Pigment Black 7), such as furnaceblack, lampblack, acetylene black, and channel black; iron oxide; andtitanium oxide.

Exemplary organic pigments include insoluble azo pigments, such asinsoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, azo lake, and chelateazo pigments; polycyclic pigments, such as phthalocyanine pigments,perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridonepigments, dioxane pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments,and quinophthalone pigments; dye chelates, such as basic dye chelatesand acid dye chelates; dye lakes, such as basic dye lakes and acid dyelakes; and nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, aniline black, and daylightfluorescent pigments. The above pigments may be used singly or incombination.

More specifically, inorganic pigments used for black color include:carbon blacks, such as No. 2300, No. 900, MCF88, No. 33, No. 40, No. 45,No. 52, MA7, MA8, MA100, and No. 2200B (each produced by MitsubishiChemical); Raven 5750, Raven 5250, Raven 5000, Raven 3500, Raven 1255,and Raven 700 (each produced by Columbia Carbon); Regal 400R, Regal330R, Regal 660R, Mogul L, Monarch 700, Monarch 800, Monarch 880,Monarch 900, Monarch 1000, Monarch 1100, Monarch 1300, and Monarch 1400(each produced by Cabot); and Color Black FW1, Color Black FW2, ColorBlack FW2V, Color Black FW18, Color Black FW200, Color Black 5150, ColorBlack S160, Color Black 5170, Printex 35, Printex U, Printex V, Printex140U, Special Black 6, Special Black 5, Special Black 4A, and SpecialBlack 4 (each produced by Degussa).

Organic pigments for yellow color include C.I. Pigment Yellows 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24, 34, 35, 37, 53, 55, 65, 73,74, 75, 81, 83, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117,120, 124, 128, 129, 133, 138, 139, 147, 151, 153, 154, 155, 167, 172,180, 185, and 213.

Organic pigments for magenta color include C.I. Pigment Reds 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 30, 31,32, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48(Ca), 48(Mn), 57(Ca), 57:1, 88, 112, 114, 122,123, 144, 146, 149, 150, 166, 168, 170, 171, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179,184, 185, 187, 202, 209, 219, 224, 245, 254, and 264 and C.I. PigmentViolets 19, 23, 32, 33, 36, 38, 43 and 50.

Organic pigments for cyan color include C.I. Pigment Blues 1, 2, 3, 15,15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:6, 15:34, 16, 18, 22, 25, 60, 65, and 66 andC.I. Vat Blues 4 and 60.

Organic pigments for other colors apart from magenta, cyan and yellowinclude C.I. Pigment Greens 7 and 10, C.I. Pigment Browns 3, 5, 25, and26, and C.I. Pigment Oranges 2, 5, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 24, 34, 36, 38,40, 43, and 63. In addition, white pigments such as titanium dioxide,hollow particles, and zinc oxide may be used.

A self-dispersing pigment, which is a color material including pigmentparticles each having a surface to which at least one ionic group isbound directly or with another atomic group therebetween, may be usedwithout particular limitation. For example, the self-dispersing pigmentmay be a pigment including particles each having a surface to which anionic group has been bound by diazo coupling, or a pigment includingparticles each having a surface to which an ionic group has beenintroduced by surface oxidation using sodium hypochlorite, aqueousozone, or the like. Pigments may be used singly or in combination.Preferably, the self-dispersing pigment includes particlessurface-treated so that the surfaces have one or more functional groups(dispersibility-imparting groups) selected from the groups consisting of—COOH, —CHO, —OH, —SO₃H and salts thereof, and can disperse in aqueousink compositions even if a dispersant is not added. The term“dispersing” of a self-dispersing pigment, mentioned herein refers to astate in which the self-dispersing pigment is present stably in water inthe absence of a dispersant, including the state in which theself-dispersing pigment is dissolved in a solvent.

Preferably, the color material of the first ink composition is aself-dispersing pigment. Since self-dispersing pigments can cause thedisplacement of landing positions more markedly than other colormaterials, the present embodiment can produce satisfactory effect.

A resin-dispersed pigment is a pigment whose particles are dispersedwith a resin dispersant. The resin dispersant may be a block copolymer,a random copolymer or a graft copolymer, of two or more monomers (atleast one of which is a hydrophilic monomer) selected from the groupconsisting of styrene and its derivatives, vinylnaphthalene and itsderivatives, aliphatic alcohol esters of α,β-ethylenic unsaturatedcarboxylic acids, acrylic acid and its derivatives, maleic acid and itsderivatives, itaconic acid and its derivatives, fumaric acid and itsderivatives, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide,and derivatives of these compounds, or a salt of these copolymers.

In addition to such a polymeric dispersant, a dispersant or a surfactantmay be used in combination. For example, an anionic or nonionicdispersant or surfactant can be suitably used. Examples of the anionicdispersant or surfactant include fatty acid salts, alkylsulfates,alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, dialkylsulfosuccinates, alkyl phosphates, naphthalenesulfonic acid-formalincondensate, polyoxyethylene alkylsulfates, and substituted derivativesof these compounds. Examples of the nonionic dispersant or surfactantinclude polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenylethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters,polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkylamines,glycerin fatty acid esters, oxyethylene-oxypropylene block copolymer,and substituted derivatives of these compounds.

A second ink composition may be used to form a glossy image. The secondink composition contains 3% by mass or more of 1,2-hexanediol, and thecolor material of the second ink composition is preferably aresin-dispersed pigment.

(5-2) Dye

If a dye is used, it may be selected from various types of dye generallyused for ink jet recording, such as direct dyes, acid dyes, food dyes,basic dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes, vat dyes, soluble vat dyes,and reactive disperse dyes.

Yellow dyes include C.I. Acid Yellows 1, 3, 11, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 36,38, 40, 42, 44, 49, 59, 61, 70, 72, 75, 76, 78, 79, 98, 99, 110, 111,127, 131, 135, 142, 162, 164 and 165, C.I. Direct Yellows 1, 8, 11, 12,24, 26, 27, 33, 39, 44, 50, 58, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 98, 110, 132, 142and 144, C.I. Reactive Yellows 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 37 and 42, C.I. Food Yellows 3 and 4,and C.I. Solvent Yellows 15, 19, 21, 30 and 109.

Magenta dyes include C.I. Acid Reds 1, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27, 32,35, 37, 42, 51, 52, 57, 75, 77, 80, 82, 85, 87, 88, 89, 92, 94, 97, 106,111, 114, 115, 117, 118, 119, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 138, 143, 145,154, 155, 158, 168, 180, 183, 184, 186, 194, 198, 209, 211, 215, 219,249, 252, 254, 262, 265, 274, 282, 289, 303, 317, 320, 321 and 322, C.I.Direct Reds 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 13, 17, 20, 23, 24, 28, 31, 33, 37, 39, 44,46, 62, 63, 75, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 89, 95, 99, 113, 197, 201, 218, 220,224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230 and 231, C.I. Reactive Reds 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, 50, 58,59, 63 and 64, C.I. Solubilized Red 1, and C.I. Food Reds 7, 9 and 14.

Cyan dyes include C.I. Acid Blues 1, 7, 9, 15, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 40,41, 43, 45, 54, 59, 60, 62, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82, 83, 90, 92, 93, 100,102, 103, 104, 112, 113, 117, 120, 126, 127, 129, 130, 131, 138, 140,142, 143, 151, 154, 158, 161, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 182, 183, 184,187, 192, 199, 203, 204, 205, 229, 234, 236 and 249, C.I. Direct Blues1, 2, 6, 15, 22, 25, 41, 71, 76, 77, 78, 80, 86, 87, 90, 98, 106, 108,120, 123, 158, 160, 163, 165, 168, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 199, 200,201, 202, 203, 207, 225, 226, 236, 237, 246, 248 and 249, C.I. ReactiveBlues 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44 and 46, C.I.Solubilized Vat Blues 1, 5 and 41, C.I. Vat Blues 4, 29 and 60, C.I.Food Blues 1 and 2, and C.I. Basic Blues 9, 25, 28, 29 and 44.

Dyes other than magenta, cyan and yellow dyes include C.I. Acid Greens7, 12, 25, 27, 35, 36, 40, 43, 44, 65 and 79, C.I. Direct Greens 1, 6,8, 26, 28, 30, 31, 37, 59, 63 and 64, C.I. Reactive Greens 6 and 7, C.I.Acid Violets 15, 43, 66, 78 and 106, C.I. Direct Violets 2, 48, 63 and90, C.I. Reactive Violets 1, 5, 9 and 10, and C.I. Direct Black 154.

(6) Other Constituents

For adding a pigment into the ink of the present embodiment, adispersant may be added together to disperse the pigment. The dispersantmay be a polymer dispersant conventionally used for preparing apigment-dispersed liquid. Any of the dispersants used in ordinary inkscan be used in the ink of the present embodiment.

Preferably, the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of thepresent embodiment further contain a pH adjuster, a resin such aspolyolefin wax, a preservative or fungicide, a rust preventive, and achelating agent. These materials can improve the characteristics of theink.

Examples of the pH adjuster include potassium dihydrogenphosphate,sodium dihydrogenphosphate, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, ammonia, diethanolamine, triethanolamine,triisopropanolamine, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodiumhydrogencarbonate.

Examples of the resin include polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid,acrylic acid-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl acetate-acrylate copolymer,acrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer,styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid-alkyl acrylatecopolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer,styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid copolymer,styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid-alkyl acrylate copolymer,styrene-maleic acid copolymer, vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymer,vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, vinyl acetate-fatty acid vinylethylene copolymer, vinyl acetate-maleate copolymer, vinylacetate-crotonic acid copolymer, and vinyl acetate-acrylic acidcopolymer. Waxes as the resin include waxes produced from olefins(ethylene, propylene, butylene, etc.) or their derivatives, andcopolymers of such waxes. For example, polyethylene waxes, polypropylenewaxes and polybutylene waxes may be used. Polyolefin waxes arecommercially available. For example, NOPCOTE PEM 17 (product name,produced by San Nopco), CHEMIPEARL W4005 (product name, produced byMitsui Chemicals), and AQUACER 515 and AQUACER 593 (product names,produced by BYK) can be used.

Examples of the preservative or fungicide include sodium benzoate,sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodiumsorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, and 1,2-dibenzothiazoline-3-one.Commercially available preservatives or fungicides include Proxel XL2and Proxel GXL (product names, each produced by Avecia), and DenicideCSA and NS-500W (product names, each produced by Nagase Chemtex).

The rust preventive may be benzotriazole or the like.

Examples of the chelating agent include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acidand its salts, such as disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate.

2. Performance Specifications 2.1. Drawing Precision

The drawing precision in use of the above-described ink jet recordingapparatus, ink(s) and recording medium will now be described. FIG. 2 isa sectional side view that illustrates how discharged ink droplets fly.The X, Y and Z directions shown in FIG. 2 correspond to those shown inFIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 2 shows a section taken along an X-Z plane,including a nozzle 9 of the head 2.

In FIG. 2, the surface of the platen 8 extends in the X-Y plane, and onwhich a recording medium 10 is placed. The open end of the nozzle 9 islocated away from the surface of the platen 8 at a distance PG (platengap PG) in the −Z direction. The nozzle 9 discharges ink droplets in theZ direction while reciprocally scanning in the X directions. FIG. 2shows a state where the nozzle 9 moves in the X direction at a speed Vc.

The ink droplet discharged from the nozzle 9 often splits into a maindroplet and one or more satellite droplets, as shown in FIG. 2. Theflying velocity Vm of the main droplet is different from the flyingvelocity Vs of the satellite droplet, and Vm>Vs holds true. Also, sincethe nozzle 9 moves in the X direction at a velocity Vc, the velocityvectors of the main droplet and the satellite droplet are Vm′ and Vs′,respectively. Consequently, the main droplet and the satellite dropletland at positions Pm and Ps, respectively, on the recording medium 10,and the landing positions of the droplets thus have a gap d. The gap dmay cause the traces of the ink to be thick or double.

For highly precise drawing, however, it is required that lines havingdesired thicknesses be drawn at desired positions. Accordingly, it isdesirable that the gap d be minimized. More specifically, it isdesirable that discharged ink droplets be prevented from being splitinto a main droplet and a satellite droplet, or that the differencebetween the flying velocities Vm and Vs be reduced even if the dropletssplit. In addition, by increasing the flying velocities Vm and Vs of thesplit droplets so as to be much higher than the scanning speed Vc of thenozzle 9, the gap d can be minimized.

2.2. Properties of Ink Jet Recording Apparatus 1

The ink jet recording apparatus 1 capable of producing high-definitionprinted articles at a high speed has the following properties.

(1) Carriage Speed

The carriage 3 scans at a speed of 33 inches per second (in/s) or morewith the carriage drive mechanism 4. Hence, the ink jet recordingapparatus 1 has a recording speed of 330 characters per second (cps) ormore, and more preferably 360 cps or more. Since the nozzle 9 scans at aspeed of 33 in/s or more, high-speed recording (drawing) can beperformed. The drawing speed of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 ishigher than that of known recording apparatuses used for printingposters, photographs or the like.

(2) Relationship Between Vm and Vs

When the injected first ink composition is split into a main droplethaving a flying velocity Vm and satellite droplets including a satellitedroplets having a flying velocity Vs, it is preferable that therelationship Vm−Vs<3 m/s be hold true. The relationship is morepreferably Vm−Vs<2.6 m/s, still more preferably Vm−Vs<2.3 m/s, andfurther preferably Vm−Vs<2.2 m/s. When such a relationship is satisfied,the dispersion in the positions of droplets landing on the recordingmedium 10 can be reduced. Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 canperform more high-definition drawing at a higher speed. The ink jetrecording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can exhibit Vm−Vs<2 m/swhen used in combination with the first ink composition that will bedescribed later.

In addition, the flying velocity Vm of the main droplet is preferablyhigher than 7 m/s (7 m/s<Vm). More preferably, the flying velocity Vm ishigher than 7.5 m/s (7.5 m/s<Vm), and still more preferably higher than8 m/s (8 m/s<Vm). By controlling the flying velocity Vm of the maindroplet to such a value, the same effect can be produced as when thedistance PG between the open end of the nozzle 9 and the surface of theplaten 8 on which the recording medium 10 is placed is reduced. Hence,the dispersion in the positions of droplets landing on the recordingmedium 10 can be further reduced, and high-speed recording can beperformed. The ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodimentcan exhibit 8 m/s<Vm when used in combination with the first inkcomposition that will be described later.

(3) Platen Gap

Preferably, the distance (platen gap) PG between the open end of thenozzle 9 and the surface of the platen 8 on which the recording medium10 is placed satisfies the relationship 0.5 mm<PG<2.5 mm. Morepreferably, 1.1 mm<PG<2 mm holds true. By controlling the platen gap PGin such a range, the dispersion in the positions of droplets landing onthe recording medium 10 can be kept in a predetermined range even ifflying droplets split into main droplets and satellite droplets. Thus,the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can perform more high-definitiondrawing at a higher speed. In Examples 1 to 8 (described below), theplaten gap PG of the ink jet recording apparatus 1 was about 1.6 mm.

(4) Nozzle Resolution

Preferably, the nozzles 9 are arranged at a pitch of 85 μm or less in adirection (sub scanning direction) intersecting the direction in whichthe ink jet head scans. Such an arrangement with a pitch of 85 μm orless results in a nozzle density of about 300 dpi or more, and, thus,finer recording can be performed at a high speed. In known ink jetrecording apparatuses, the recording precision in the direction in whichthe recording medium is moved (Y direction, sub scanning direction)tends to be inferior to the recording precision in the main scanningdirection. Accordingly, when a detailed drawing has been created withthin lines, a portion inferior in landing position precision may beclear in the drawing. Thus, by closely arranging the nozzles at a veryhigh density, the recording apparatus can perform more high-definitionrecording even when drawing thinner lines. The ink jet recordingapparatus 1 of the present embodiment have nozzles 9 preferably having adiameter of 15 to 25 μm, more preferably 21 to 23 μm.

(5) Other Properties

Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus can draw lines with aminimum line width of 250 μm or less. The ink jet recording apparatusused in combination with the above-described ink composition accordingto the present embodiment is effective in drawing such thin lines.Preferably, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an ink jet headthat discharges droplets each having a weight of 26 ng or less onaverage (for example, a weight obtained by averaging the weights ofdroplets discharged from the beginning of recording of an image to theend of the recording). More preferably, the average weight of a dropletdischarged from the ink jet head is 1 to 26 ng, still more preferably 3to 26 ng, and most preferably 3 to 21 ng. Thus, the ink jet recordingapparatus 1 can create drawings with a minimum line width of 250 μm incombination with the first ink composition that will be described later.Since lines having a width as small as 250 μm can be traced in designdrawing, finer images can be recorded. The invention can beadvantageously applied to ink jet recording apparatuses used for designdrawing. A recording apparatus for design drawing refers to a recordingapparatus that is intended to create design drawings with, for example,a CAD system, and that is stated to be effective in creating designdrawings with, for example, a CAD system.

2.3. Ink Composition

(1) 1,2-Hexanediol

The first ink composition used for the ink jet recording apparatus 1preferably contains 1,2-hexanediol. The 1,2-hexanediol content in thefirst ink composition is preferably 3% by mass or less, and morepreferably in the range of 0.5% to 2% by mass. Still more preferably,the 1,3-hexanediol content is 0.5% to 1.7% by mass, and is furtherpreferably 0.5% to 1.5% by mass.

A flying droplet after being discharged from the nozzle is changed inshape by the surface tension such that its surface area is minimized. Atthis time, the droplet may split into smaller droplets. In general,1,2-hexanediol is used as a penetrant or a solubilizing agent forwater-insoluble solvent. By controlling the 1,2-hexanediol content inthe above range, the gap d between landing positions of split dropletscan be reduced. One reason of this probably is that 1,2-hexanediolreduces the effect of surface tension on the droplet splitting intosmaller droplets. More specifically, it is believed that the hydroxygroup of 1,2-hexanediol has an affinity that can reduce the dynamicsurface tension of tiny droplets discharged at a high frequency (forexample, 10 kHz or more). Consequently, flying droplets do not easilysplit into smaller droplets, and accordingly, the gap d between landingpositions can be reduced. However, an excessive amount of 1,2-hexanediolresults in an increased gap between landing positions.

(2) Glycerol

The first ink composition advantageously contains glycerol. The glycerolcontent in the first ink composition is preferably 10% by mass or more,more preferably 12% by mass or more, and still more preferably 14% bymass or more. Glycerol in an ink composition can prevent clogging withthe ink composition. In addition, by controlling the glycerol content inthe above range, flying droplets do not easily split into smallerdroplets. Also, even if droplets split, the difference in velocity amongsplit droplets can be kept small. Thus, the dispersion in the positionsof droplets landing on the recording medium 10 can be reduced.

(3) Second Ink Composition

The ink jet recording apparatus 1 may use a second ink compositionejected through a second nozzle, as well as using the first inkcomposition for high definition drawing. The second ink compositioncontains 3% by mass or more of 1,2-hexanediol. The second inkcomposition is used for portions not requiring high definition or highprecision so as to enhance the image quality of such portions, so thatthe first ink composition can be used only for design drawings so as torecord fine drawings. The pigment of the second ink composition may be aresin-dispersed pigment or a glittering pigment (silver, aluminum,pearl, etc.) Such a second ink composition can be used for recordingimage portions that should have glossiness or similar texture(specifically for glittering images).

By using the ink jet recording apparatus and ink compositions accordingto the present embodiment, a recorded article having a morehigh-definition image (particularly, design drawing) can be produced ata higher speed.

3. Examples

Examples will be described below. A test apparatus modified fromPX-H10000 (manufacture by Seiko Epson Corp.) was used as the ink jetrecording apparatus 1. The platen gap PG was set at about 1.6 mm, andthe carriage speed was set at about 33 in/s. The nozzles of the head hada diameter of about 20 μm. The first composition contained glycerol,1,2-hexanediol, trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol, Surfynol 104PG50(surfactant, produced by Nissin Chemical Industry), and pure water. PXmat paper roll (thin) (manufactured by Seiko Epson Corp.) was used asthe recording medium 10. However, the present invention is not limitedto these conditions.

Inks used in the Examples and Comparative Example contained 6.5% by massof carbon black as a pigment. The carbon black was prepared as below.With 1 kg of water was mixed 100 g of a commercially available carbonblack, Color Black S170 (produced by Degussa-Huls). The mixture waspulverized with zirconia beads in a ball mill. To the resulting liquidwas dropped 1400 g of sodium hypochlorite (effective chlorineconcentration: 12%). The mixture was subjected to reaction for 5 hourswhile being pulverized in a ball mill, and was then boiled with stirringfor 4 hours for wet oxidation. The resulting dispersion liquid wasfiltered through a glass fiber filter GA-100 (product name, availablefrom Advantech Toyo), followed by washing with water. The resulting wetcake was dispersed in 5 kg of water and purified by deionization througha reverse osmosis membrane until the electric conductivity was reducedto 2 mS/cm. Further, the dispersion was concentrated to a pigmentcontent of 20% by weight.

3.1. Examples 1 to 8

Evaluation results of Examples 1 to 8 are shown in Table 1. Inkcompositions of Examples 1 to 8 were prepared according to thecompositions shown in Table 1 in which the contents of 1,2-hexanedioland glycerol were varied.

TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ink 1, 2-Hexanediol 2 1.5 1.5 1 1.5 10.5 1 (wt %) Glycerol 10 13 14 14 15 15 15 16 Trimethylolpropane 3 3 3 33 3 3 3 Propylene glycol 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Surfynol 104PG50 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Pure water Balance Balance Balance Balance BalanceBalance Balance Balance Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Results Vm(m/s) 8.26 8.84 8.14 8.20 8.17 8.10 8.03 8.00 Vs (m/s) 5.92 6.32 5.966.23 6.07 6.00 6.14 6.21 Vm-Vs (m/s) 2.34 2.52 2.18 1.97 2.10 2.10 1.891.79 Landing position gap d (μm) 64.2 60.5 60.2 51.7 56.8 57.9 51.4 48.3Evaluation Fair Good Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent

The results were evaluated in the gap d between landing positionsaccording to the following criteria.

-   -   Excellent: d<57 μm    -   Good: 57 μm≦d<61 μm.    -   Fair: 61 μm≦d<65 μm    -   Bad: 65 μm≦d

Table 1 shows that the velocity Vs of satellite droplets was varied whenthe contents of 1,2-hexanediol and glycerol were varied. Accordingly,the difference Vm−Vs in velocity between the main droplet and thesatellite droplet can be reduced, and good or excellent results wereobtained when the 1,2-hexanediol content was 1.5% by mass or more andthe glycerol content was 13% by mass or more.

3.2. Examples 9 to 11, Comparative Example

Table 2 shows estimates of landing position gap d when the platen gap PGwas varied in Example 8. In the Comparative Example, the head came intocontact with the recording medium, and consequently, the landingposition gap could not be evaluated. As the platen gap PG is reduced, oras the distance between the open end of the nozzle 9 and the surface ofthe platen 8 is reduced, the landing position gap d decreases. However,it is necessary to allow for the thickness and bending of the recordingmedium 10. Such a platen gap PG as in the Comparative Example is likelyto cause the nozzle 9 to come into contact with the recording medium 10.

TABLE 2 Compara- tive Example Example 9 10 8 11 1 Ink 1,2- 1 1 1 1 1 (wt%) Hexanediol Glycerol 16 16 16 16 16 Trimethylol- 3 3 3 3 3 propanePropylene 3 3 3 3 3 glycol Surfynol 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 104PG50 Purewater Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Total 100 100 100 100 100Results PG (mm) 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.1 0.5 Vm (m/s) 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 Vs(m/s) 6.21 6.21 6.21 6.21 6.21 Vm-Vs (m/s) 1.79 1.79 1.79 1.79 1.79Landing 24.2 36.2 48.3 63.4 — position gap d (μm) Evaluation Excel-Excel- Excel- Fair Bad lent lent lent

What is claimed is:
 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an inkcontainer containing a first ink composition; an ink jet head thatdischarges droplets, including at least one first liquid ejecting nozzlethrough which the first ink composition is ejected to record an image ona recording medium, wherein the at least one first liquid ejectingnozzle has an open end, when the first ink composition is ejected, saidfirst ink composition is split into a main droplet having a flyingvelocity Vm and at least one satellite droplet having a flying velocityVs, the flying velocities satisfying the relationship Vm−Vs<2 m/s; acontroller that causes the ejection of the first ink composition fromthe at least one first liquid ejecting nozzle; and wherein the first inkcomposition satisfies at least either: (1) containing less than 3% bymass of 1,2-alkanediol; or (2) containing 10% by mass or more ofglycerol; wherein the ink jet head that discharges droplets having aweight of 26 ng or less on average; wherein the at least one firstliquid ejecting nozzle is a piezoelectric ejecting nozzle that ejectsliquid with a pressure generated by a piezoelectric element, and whereinthe at least one first liquid ejecting nozzle includes a plurality offirst liquid ejecting nozzles arranged in an ink jet head at intervalsof 85 μm or less; wherein the distance between the open end of thenozzle and the surface of a platen, on which the recording medium isplaced, is between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.
 2. The ink jet recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the flying velocity Vm of the main dropletsatisfies the relationship 7 m/s<Vm.
 3. The ink jet recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one first liquid ejectingnozzle scans at a speed of at least 33 inches per second.
 4. The ink jetrecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first inkcomposition contains an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent isa polyhydric alcohol.
 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first ink composition satisfies (1) and (2).
 6. Theink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jetrecording apparatus is adapted to form a line having a minimum width of250 μm.
 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe ink jet recording apparatus is adapted to record a design drawing asthe image.
 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the nozzles have a diameter of 15 to 25 um.
 9. The ink jetrecording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a secondink container containing a second ink composition, the second inkcomposition containing a color material and 3% by mass or more of1,2-alkanediol.
 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim1, wherein the first ink composition contains 1,2-alkanediol.
 11. Theink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first inkcomposition contains a pyrrolidone derivative.
 12. A recorded articleproduced by the ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
 1. 13.A recorded article produced by the ink jet recording apparatus as setforth in claim
 2. 14. A recorded article produced by the ink jetrecording apparatus as set forth in claim
 3. 15. A recorded articleproduced by the ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
 4. 16.A recorded article produced by the ink jet recording apparatus as setforth in claim
 5. 17. A recorded article produced by the ink jetrecording apparatus as set forth in claim
 6. 18. A recorded articleproduced by the ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
 7. 19.A recorded article produced by the ink jet recording apparatus as setforth in claim 8.